Chat About Chuuk: Betel-Nut

In Micronesia the Betel nut is a form of local chewing tobacco. It is a practice found throughout the FSM, but Pohnpei and Yap have it in abundance and is an important export for the local economies.

Betel nut is a bit of a misnomer. The nut is actually the areca nut (or seed) from the areca palm which grows in the tropical Pacific and Asia. It is commonly referred to as betel nut because it is often chewed wrapped in betel leaves.

The betel is a leaf off a vine belonging to the Piperaceae family, which includes pepper and kava. For those who have visited Fiji, you know the effects of kava when you have a few sips. Areca nuts are chewed with the betel leaf for their effects as a mild stimulant, causing a warming sensation in the body and slightly heightened alertness. The effect of chewing betel leaf and areca nut together is relatively mild, and could be compared to drinking a cup of coffee.

The wrap of betel leaf is commonly referred to as a quid or paan. The betel nut is split open and powdered with slaked lime (comes from coral), then wrapped up in the betel leaf. Sometimes a piece of cigarette is inserted in the wrap to enhance the effects.

The quid is then placed in the mouth and chewed. As a result of chewing betel nut, a person's saliva is turned deep red, and eventually stains the teeth. This staining is considered attractive is in these cultures.